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Why am I having right upper abdominal pain after a fat meal?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

About a month ago, I experienced acute pain in my right upper abdomen, and that radiated to my back. It happened after I had a high-fat meal that night. The pain lasted for hours and continued as a dull ache for the next week. I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist, and he advised an abdominal CT. The report revealed that, besides a mildly hydronephrotic kidney, for which I have already seen a urologist, everything else was normal except for the following. A focus of calcification is in the gallbladder lumen or the posterior gallbladder wall.

The gallbladder wall is minimally prominent. However, the gallbladder is collapsed. All of my laboratory blood work showed that my kidney, liver, and pancreas functions are normal. The gastroenterologist did not really give me any insight. He said to find a surgeon in case I have another attack, so that the gallbladder can be removed. I have found a surgeon, but I would like to get a second opinion from a different gastroenterologist.

I have had a dull ache since the initial attack, but I have not had any more excruciating pain. Should I wait to get the gallbladder out if I do have another attack? When the report says focus of calcification, does that mean I just have one gallstone? Though I do not have any extreme pain, is this an emergency? Any advice you can provide would be helpful.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anshul Varshney is a highly skilled Critical Care Physician specializing in nephrology, pulmonology, and rheumatology. He is committed to providing advanced, life-saving care to critically ill patients while addressing complex medical conditions affecting the kidneys, lungs, and immune system. His holistic and multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive treatment tailored to individual patient needs.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

We are here to help you.

  • Such a description of pain is usually seen in gallbladder issues as well as acid reflux disease.
  • There is no point in taking a second opinion from a gastroenterologist, as he would suggest the same.
  • Actually, his suggestion is right. However, if I were your doctor, I would have added a combination of Pantoprazole and Domperidone to help with acid reflux that might be precipitating the pain.
  • So, my advice for you would be to go ahead with this combination. If you get another episode of such pain, then go for an HIDA scan (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan). If it reveals a malfunction of your gallbladder, then it can later be removed.

For further information, consult a medical gastroenterologist online.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At June 21, 2016
Reviewed At December 10, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anshul Varshney is a highly skilled Critical Care Physician specializing in nephrology, pulmonology, and rheumatology. He is committed to providing advanced, life-saving care to critically ill patients while addressing complex medical conditions affecting the kidneys, lungs, and immune system. His holistic and multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive treatment tailored to individual patient needs.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anshul Varshney is a highly skilled Critical Care Physician specializing in nephrology, pulmonology, and rheumatology. He is committed to providing advanced, life-saving care to critically ill patients while addressing complex medical conditions affecting the kidneys, lungs, and immune system. His holistic and multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive treatment tailored to individual patient needs.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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acid reflux (acidity)pantoprazoleabdominal paingallbladder dysfunctiondomperidonehida scan

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